SDF - Funding Mechanism

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Current Funding Rates

Effective from 1 April 2007

Types of Training

Industry

Conducted by

Non-SME

SME^#

Non-SME

SME^#

Non-Certifiable

A non-certifiable skills training is defined as training that does not lead to national / industry-wide certification.

All Sectors

External Training Providers /
In-house Own Instructors

$2.50 per trainee-hr*

$5 per trainee-hr*

$2 per trainee-hr*

$4 per trainee-hr*

Certifiable

A certifiable skills training is defined as training that leads to national / industry-wide certification.

All Sectors

External Training Providers

80% of course fees subject to $8 per trainee-hr

OR

90% of course fees subject to $16 per trainee-hr**

80% of course fees subject to $7 per trainee-hr

OR

90% of course fees subject to $11 per trainee-hr**

In-house Own Instructors

In-house training is currently not supported under the SDF EasyNet. Companies may submit Application Form 1 to us at least one working day before commencement of training.

$8 per trainee-hr

$7 per trainee-hr

Overseas Training

Overseas training is currently not supported under the SDF EasyNet. Companies may submit Application Form 1 to us at least one working day before commencement of training. For overseas training, commencement date is taken as the day trainee departs Singapore.

All Sectors

External Training Providers / In-house Own Instructors

(Within Asia)

$80 per trainee-day

External Training Providers / In-house Own Instructors

(Outside Asia)

$120 per trainee-day

^#SMEs are defined as companies with at least 30% local ownership, withFixed Asset Investment (FAI) of not more than $15m and if in the service sector, employment size of not more than 200. In addition, higher funding for the SMEs is given under the SME Upgrading for Performance programme (SUPER). Read below for more info!

**Higher funding is applicable to workers aged 40 and above, and holding 'A' level qualifications and below. Training must also be conducted during normal working hours (This criterion for mature workers to be trained during normal working hours for higher funding will be removed for training commencing 1 June 2005) .

	More about SUPER !
	A WDA initiative, SUPER provides holistic training assistance to encourage training among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
	If you are an SME, you can receive funding support at:
	$5 per trainee per hour up to 100% course fees when you send your staff for non-certifiable training. Examples of programmes include customer service and computer courses. 50% of course fees subject to $20 per trainee per hour for executive/managerial training (Terms and conditions apply)⁺
	Funding support will also be provided for workforce training projects undertaken by industry associations to promote training to their SME members.
	Application for SUPER
	If you are applying under the SDF EasyNet, a higher funding will automatically be computed if you have been accorded an SME status during your registration with us. Other forms of application include submitting Application Form 1 to us.

	⁺ Either of the following must be met: The SME has offered 20 vacancies or more in Place and Train Programmes or have employed at least 20 Singaporean Workers within a one-year time frame; or The SME has developed a training plan committed to the training of at least 30% of its rank and file workers.
	Note:- SUPER includes support for structured On-the-Job Training (OJT) that is non-certifiable.
	Definition of Employer-Based, Worker-Based and Outcomes-Based Programmes Employer-based funding programmes are those whereby employers decide who to send for training, and for what training. Employers can then claim for reimbursement through the SDF EasyNet system, and co-pay the unsupported training fees. The design of such programmes is based on the premise that employers are best placed to decide what kind of training will benefit their organisation and raise productivity. Worker-based programmes are those whereby workers can participate without having to always rely on employers' sponsorship. For such programmes, the individual worker can assess the training subsidy directly, and will also co-pay the cost of training. The design of such programmes is based on the premise that workers must have some control over their own employability and careers. An example is the public walk-in scheme for the Employability Skills System which allows workers without company sponsorship to access ESS literacy and numeracy foundational training at affordable rates that have been pre-subsidised by WDA. Another example is the Place and Train programme (PnT), where workers and job seekers can decide if they would like to apply and seek job opportunities in the growing industry sectors, and be trained for the job thereafter. Outcome-based programmes can be both employer-based as well as worker-based. They are programmes with a pre-determined set of outcome indicators agreed between WDA and its programme implementation partners in return for funding. The outcomes go beyond trainee satisfaction, passing rates or number of certifications issued, to tangible business and application outcomes such as placements of workers, productivity improvements, or better performance verified by audits. Our programme partners will be required to put in place the necessary mechanisms to track and measure the outcomes. Examples of such outcome-based programmes are the CareerLink Plus centre to help the long-term unemployed; the Advantage! Scheme to encourage companies to hire and retain older workers; and Job Re-creation Programme (JRP) to enhance the productivity and pay of low wage workers.